Puerto Golfito

The Port of Golfito is located On the Pacific coast in the Golfo Dulce, 127 n.m. SE of Puntarenas, 30 n.m. from the border with Panama and 215 n.m. W×S of Balboa.

In the southeast Bay of Golfito on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, near the border with Panama, 300 miles by land from San Jose.

It was built in 1939 for the purpose of serving as a platform for the export of bananas to the United States.

Regional port handling bulk liquids and general cargo

The nearest international airport is the is the Juan Santamaria, located in the city of Alajuela

Restrictions:

Max Length of 250 mts
Max Draft of 9 mts.
Services of fresh water, sludge removal, garbage disposal, ship chandler are available
Max Channel Draft is 10.0 mts.
No daylight restriction
Air draft restriction: No
Shore crane available: No.
Free Practique can not be granted upon arrival, Port Authorities must visit the vessel in order to grant Free Practique.
Mooring Arrangements: Ropes are required for mooring, wires are not allowed.

Quantity of piers:

The Port of Golfito has 2 piers:

Length of quay is 317 m., enough for two vessels to berth, each berth depth 10.67 m. Vessels berth starboard side to.

Pier

Length

Draft

Purpose

1

200 mts

9.5 mts

Multipurpose

2

117 mts

6.0 mts

Multipurpose

Customs:

The Customs authorities now stipulate that:

All cargo on board of the vessel with destination Costa Rica must be manifested.
The manifest and Bills of lading must be registered in the customs Systems (TICA) 48hrs prio vsls arrival
Cargoes entering and have not been manifested will be confiscated in the Port´s terminals.
Violations of this rules will have the following consequences:

Any ship that has not been entered into customs system (TICA) will not be docked.
Any failure to cargo manifested evident in quantities or weight, will be fined.

Direct entrance from open sea, pilot board the ship at half mile from port, authorities visit the vessel once docked at pier

Anchorage Area:

At 2 miles from port, with a draft between 12-13mts.

Pilotage

The pilot board the ship at 2 miles from port Entrance
In Port Golfito, the gangway should be at portside, on 1mt of sea level.
Pilotage is compulsory for larger vessels.
Weather conditions suitable for docking and undocking manoeuvres, subject to discretion of pilot’s office.

Prearrival information

Notify Agent at 72, 48 and 24 hours before arrival advising ETA. Initial notification to also advise number passengers disembarking, if any, amount of cargo to discharge in metric tons, number of gangs required to work on board.

Water Density:

1,019

Port security facilities:

All port facilities in terminal and main areas have closed circuit television monitored 24hrs, the Golfito terminal has the ISPS specifications.

Work days:

The port of Golfito works 24hrs, 7 days per week.

Watchmen on board:

In port´s Golfito is not compulsory to have watchmen on board, however it is advisable to avoid risks of drugs, stowaways, arms, etc.

Tides and winds:

The maximum increase of tides is 14” and winds speed can be variable during the year. Tidal range 0.36 m.

Practique: Any vessel that enters this port has to be in possession of a Sanitary Manifest (Maritime Declaration of Health) signed by Master of vessel. In case of any suspected disease or fever on board, Master to notify Port authorities by radio and vessel to wait outside the limit of territorial waters until clearance is given.